Climate: Climates of Earth Chapter 14, Section 1
Every winter, snow attracts skiers to their favorite mountains Every winter, snow attracts skiers to their favorite mountains. During the warm summer months, hikers and bikers journey across those same mountains. The cycle repeats season after season, year after year. Weather changes follow a predictable pattern throughout the year. This pattern is known as climate. Climate affects your life, as well as the lives of all living things around you. 1 Why is the yearly pattern of weather important? 2 What can be predicted about the weather for the upcoming year?
VOCABULARY Climate El Nino/ Southern Oscillation Microclimate Monsoon Rain shadow Drought Specific heat Global warming Ice age Greenhouse gas Interglacial Deforestation Global climate model
Long term average weather conditions that occur in a particular region Climate Long term average weather conditions that occur in a particular region
microclimate Localized climate that’s different from the climate of the larger area surrounding it
Area of low rainfall on the downwind slope of a mountain Rain shadow Area of low rainfall on the downwind slope of a mountain
Specific heat Amount of thermal energy needed to raise the temperature of 1kg of material by 1 degree Celsius
Ice age Period of time when a large portion of Earth’s surface is covered by glaciers
Warm period that occurs during an ice age or between ice ages Interglacial Warm period that occurs during an ice age or between ice ages
El nino/ southern oscillation Combined ocean and atmospheric cycle that results in weakened trade winds across the Pacific Ocean
Wind circulation pattern that changes direction with the season Monsoon Wind circulation pattern that changes direction with the season
Period of below-average percipiation drought Period of below-average percipiation
Increase in the average temperature of Earth’s surface Global warming Increase in the average temperature of Earth’s surface
Gas in the atmosphere that absorbs Earth’s outgoing infrared radiation Greenhouse gases Gas in the atmosphere that absorbs Earth’s outgoing infrared radiation
Removal of large areas of forests for human purposes Deforstation Removal of large areas of forests for human purposes
Set of complex equations used to predict future climates Global climate model Set of complex equations used to predict future climates
Describe the climate in our area. Out Describe the climate in our area.